Become a Member

Friends of the National Zoo Membership

A Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) membership is the best way to support the outstanding wildlife conservation work of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and ensure your family’s experience at the Zoo is always special and enriching.

Join today and contribute to the Zoo's commitment to providing leadership in animal care, science, education and sustainability.

As a valued FONZ member, you enjoy a full year of special benefits, such as free parking at certain levels, priority registration to camps and classes and exclusive access to plenty of Zoo events and activities.

Learn more about the exciting possibilities that a FONZ membership has to offer and become a member today!

FAVORITE FONZ MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

Free parking during your visits to the Zoo

Exclusive animal tours and previews

Priority access to Zoo camps, classes and events

Being a strong supporter of animal conservation

General Membership

Support your free Zoo and become a FONZ member. Enjoy member-only benefits such as free or reduced parking, discounts on your purchases made at the Zoo, a subscription to Smithsonian Zoogoer magazine, and invitations to exciting Zoo events.

Circle Membership

Circle-level members take their conservation contribution to the next level. From access to special animal tours and a Zoo concierge line to invitations to special Zoo events, they make the most of their Zoo experience, while helping save animals.

Council Membership

Council members play an integral role in supporting the work we do to save species. As our most elite group of donors, Council members get to experience exclusive Zoo, SCBI, and Smithsonian events, and have the biggest impact on animal conservation.

General Membership Options

Don't live nearby? We have a special membership option just for you. The National FONZ membership covers one named adult living more than 200 miles outside of Washington, D.C and offers free or discounted admission to more than 140 zoos and aquariums across the country. This level also features a Smithsonian Zoogoer magazine subscription, and many other discounts for events, camps, and classes at the Zoo.

Benefits

Discounts on popular Zoo event tickets

Discounts on Zoo camps, classes, and overnights

Free or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide

Membership at the Green level covers one named adult for special green benefits such as a paperless subscription to Smithsonian Zoogoer magazine, a self-guided Green Tour of the Zoo, and discounts at local eco-friendly retailers.

Benefits

Free carousel ride coupon

Free fountain drink coupon

10% discount coupons for food purchases

10% discount in Zoo stores

Discounts on popular Zoo event tickets

Discounts on Zoo camps, classes, and overnights

Free or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide

You appreciate that by being a FONZ member and a frequent Zoo visitor, you become one of the Zoo's best advocates. In return for your support as a Basic-level member, you get to enjoy a wide variety of exciting member benefits, such as:

Benefits

50% discount for parking at the Zoo

Free carousel ride coupon

Free fountain drink coupon

10% discount in Zoo stores

Discounts on popular Zoo event tickets

One named cardholder per household

10% discount coupons for food purchases

Discounts on Zoo camps, classes, and overnights

Free or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide

As a FONZ member at the Premier level, you get to enjoy all the exciting benefits from a Basic membership, and many more. Plus, you know how crucial your membership contribution is to the Zoo's critical work here and abroad, and you want to get even more involved. Some benefit highlights at this level include:

Benefits

Free parking while visiting the Zoo

Up to two named cardholders per household

Free carousel ride coupons

10% discount in Zoo stores

Quarterly subscription to Smithsonian Zoogoer magazine

Discounts on stroller rentals

10% discount coupons for food purchases

Discounts on popular Zoo event tickets

Discounts on Zoo camps, classes, and overnights

Free or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide

Membership at the Premier Plus level is one of the most popular and there's definitely a good reason. As a Premier Plus member, you get to enjoy all the great benefits from the Premier level, plus some exclusive extras. On top of that, you share in our passion and dedication to support the Zoo in their mission to save species. Some of those key member benefits include:

Benefits

Up to three named cardholders per household

Free parking while visiting the Zoo

Free carousel ride coupons

Free fountain drink coupons

10% discount in Zoo stores

Priority enrollment for birthday parties

Priority enrollment for Snore & Roar overnights

Priority enrollment for children’s camps

Discounts on stroller rentals

10% discount coupons for food purchases

Discounts on popular Zoo event tickets

Discounts on Zoo camps, classes, and overnights

Free or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide

Guided Specialty Tours

Patrons are invited to choose one of five Guided Specialty Tours: Endangered Species, Hidden Gems, Kiss and Tail, Upper Zoo, and Young Explorers. Each tour provides fascinating glimpses into the cutting-edge science and conservation work that your support makes possible.

Each tour group can have one to ten members. That size fosters the best possible learning environment for you and your guests.

Endangered Species Tour
Looking to learn more about the conservation efforts to save endangered species? This tour explores many of the species at the Smithsonian's National Zoo that are facing, or have faced, the danger of extinction. This tour gives you the opportunity to learn about the amazing ways these animals have adapted to their habitats, how they are being threatened in the wild, and what you can do to help.

Hidden Gems Tour
Do you think you know everything about the giant pandas, elephants, great cats, and the Zoo's other most famous animals? This tour takes you "off-the-beaten path" and introduces you to some of the Zoo's most interesting yet lesser-known animals, such as Andean bears, caracals, and elephant shrews. Who knows? You just may find your new favorite animal!

Kiss and Tail Tour
Looking for something a little more wild? Join this adults-only tour and learn about the fascinating world of animal dating and mating. This tour visits cheetahs, zebras, Przewalski's horses, giant pandas, Big Cats, Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, and Reptile Discovery Center.

Upper Zoo Tour
Want to spend more time learning about animals and less time walking? Join our Upper Zoo Tour. This two-hour tour allows you to really get to know the animals in the three exhibits at the upper part of the Zoo, including cheetahs, zebras, gazelles, Asian small-clawed otters, clouded leopards, sloth bears, and more.

Young Explorers Tour
Have little zoogoers? Take them on a tour designed especially for them! This 90-minute tour designed for children ages 4 to 7 allows your little zoogoers to have an interactive experience, including a chance to touch pelts, feathers and other objects. The outdoor portion of this tour visits the cheetahs, sloth bears, clouded leopards, as well as the Bird House.

Guided Specialty Tours

Patrons are invited to choose one of five Guided Specialty Tours: Endangered Species, Hidden Gems, Kiss and Tail, Upper Zoo, and Young Explorers. Each tour provides fascinating glimpses into the cutting-edge science and conservation work that your support makes possible.

Each tour group can have one to ten members. That size fosters the best possible learning environment for you and your guests.

Endangered Species Tour
Looking to learn more about the conservation efforts to save endangered species? This tour explores many of the species at the Smithsonian's National Zoo that are facing, or have faced, the danger of extinction. This tour gives you the opportunity to learn about the amazing ways these animals have adapted to their habitats, how they are being threatened in the wild, and what you can do to help.

Hidden Gems Tour
Do you think you know everything about the giant pandas, elephants, great cats, and the Zoo's other most famous animals? This tour takes you "off-the-beaten path" and introduces you to some of the Zoo's most interesting yet lesser-known animals, such as Andean bears, caracals, and elephant shrews. Who knows? You just may find your new favorite animal!

Kiss and Tail Tour
Looking for something a little more wild? Join this adults-only tour and learn about the fascinating world of animal dating and mating. This tour visits cheetahs, zebras, Przewalski's horses, giant pandas, Big Cats, Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, and Reptile Discovery Center.

Upper Zoo Tour
Want to spend more time learning about animals and less time walking? Join our Upper Zoo Tour. This two-hour tour allows you to really get to know the animals in the three exhibits at the upper part of the Zoo, including cheetahs, zebras, gazelles, Asian small-clawed otters, clouded leopards, sloth bears, and more.

Young Explorers Tour
Have little zoogoers? Take them on a tour designed especially for them! This 90-minute tour designed for children ages 4 to 7 allows your little zoogoers to have an interactive experience, including a chance to touch pelts, feathers and other objects. The outdoor portion of this tour visits the cheetahs, sloth bears, clouded leopards, as well as the Bird House.

Exclusive Meet-a-Keeper Tour

This two-hour guided walking tour highlights some of the most exciting and interesting areas of the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and offers you the opportunity to find out more about an exhibit directly from an animal care expert.

The Explorer Tour

Want to get a look behind the scenes of one of our exhibits? The Explorer Tour brings you and your private group of up to six people behind the scenes at one of our animal exhibits. Explorer Council members can choose between Amazonia, the Small Mammal House, the Kids' Farm, the Bird House, or Asia Trail. OR you may choose a Highlights Tour of the Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA.

The Highlights Tour is a 2-hour driving tour of the 3,200-acre Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute showcases the endangered species research and breeding center, in Front Royal, VA.

The Ambassador Tour

The Ambassador Tour brings you and your private group of up to six people behind the scenes of one of the Zoo's animal exhibits. Members can choose between Big Cats, Asian Elephants, Giant Pandas, Asia Trail, the Reptile House, or Cheetah Conservation Station. OR you may choose a Highlights Tour of the Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA.

The Highlights Tour is a 2-hour driving tour of the 3,200-acre Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute showcases the endangered species research and breeding center, in Front Royal, VA.